Catalogue of Courses & Student Handbook - SUPA

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Astronomy and Space Physics Semester 1 The Astronomy and Space Physics courses cover a broad range of topics aimed at widening students’ knowledge of the field. They range from advanced extensions of subjects covered at undergraduate level to the introduction of new interdisciplinary sciences. We recommend that students take a mixture of core material, advanced courses (usually 16-20 hours equivalent credit) and more general topics, including computing and data reduction modules, to gain a broad grounding in astronomical methods and modern research areas. Each course is self-contained, although background reading or another SUPA course may be recommended to bring students from various backgrounds up to speed. Students from other theme areas are very welcome to take Astronomy and Space Physics courses, with particular modules likely to be of interest for Life Sciences and Plasma Physics students, but they should remember that a basic understanding of astronomy and astronomical terms will be assumed by course lecturers. A typical programme, building to the core requirement of 40 hours of Technical Courses might include: • A SUPA technical Astronomy course (these generally constitute 16-20 hours) • A technical SUPA course in another field or a second Astronomy course • Non-SUPA courses as appropriate (e.g., for students changing specialities) • Summer Schools in Astronomy and Space Physics Astronomy students should note that certain Astronomy courses are only run biennially. Each student must consult their PhD supervisor to construct a suitable programme before registering, and students are encouraged not to over-register. The 40 hour course requirement is taken over the first and second years, although students from all years can take extra subjects for interest. Advanced Data Analysis - Astronomy (SUPAAAA) Lecturer: Keith Horne Institution: St Andrews Hours Equivalent Credit: 20 Assessment: Continuous Assessment This is a final year undergraduate course organised by the University of St Andrews Course Description This module develops an understanding of basic concepts and offers practical experience with the techniques of quantitative data analysis. Beginning with fundamental concepts of probability theory and random variables, practical techniques are developed for using quantitative observational data to answer questions and test hypotheses about models of the physical world. The methods are illustrated by applications to the analysis of timeseries, imaging, spectroscopy, and tomography data sets. Students develop their computer programming skills, acquire a data analysis toolkit, and gain practical experience by analysing real data sets. Gravitational Wave Detection (SUPAGWD) Lecturer: Giles Hammond Institution: Glasgow Hours Equivalent Credit: 15 Assessment: Essay and Viva Course Description This course is for students interested in the physics of gravitational wave detection. Starting from the fundamentals of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, the wave nature of weak field spacetime curvature perturbations will be derived in the transverse traceless gauge. Interactions of gravitational radiation with matter will be explored, leading to the basic principles of gravitational wave detectors. Astrophysical sources of gravitational waves will be discussed, including expectations for source strengths from coalescing compact binary systems, pulsars, etc. A full description of currently operating detectors will include instrumental noise sources, such as thermal, seismic, optical, and the standard quantum limit. Current topics discussed will include squeezing, and other non-classical light techniques for reducing optical noise in interferometric systems. Plans for detectors on the ground and in space will be presented, ending with a discussion of data analysis techniques. Assessment Method: A dissertation (or design study), of approximately 2000 words, on a current topic in gravitational wave research, to be submitted at the end of the course. Example topics include: thermal noise reduction, applications of non-classical light techniques, applications of optimal filtering techniques, applications of Bayesian inference in data analysis, astrophysical applications of gravitational wave sources. A twenty minute oral exam is also required for each student at the end of the course. Equal weighting will be given to the two assessment areas. 9
Astronomy and Space Physics Magnetofluids and Space Plasmas (SUPAAAA) Lecturer: Moira Jardine Institution: St Andrews Hours Equivalent Credit: 27 Assessment: Exam This is an undergraduate course organised by University of St Andrews Course Description The interaction of a magnetic field with a partially or fully ionised gas (or plasma) is fundamental to many problems in astrophysics. Star formation in particular is heavily influenced by the magnetic fields of molecular clouds, and once stars and discs form they can generate their own magnetic fields by dynamo activity. This is a final year undergraduate course run by University of St Andrews. The behaviour of this magnetic field is at the heart of many of the most interesting observations of young stars and their accretion disks. This module covers the basics of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) with applications to star formation, accretion discs and stellar magnetospheres. Topics included MHD waves, reconnection, coronal heating, dynamo theory, angular momentum transport, stellar winds and magnetic braking. The Sciences of the Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence (SUPASEI) Lecturer: Alan Penny Institution: St Andrews Hours Equivalent Credit: 10 Assessment: Multiple Choice Questions Course Description The Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) is one of the most interesting if controversial subjects in astronomy. This ten lecture course will explore all the varied sciences used in SETI. The main part will cover the radio, optical and infrared searches for any signals and artefacts from extra-terrestrial civilisations, and explore the meaning of the negative results so far, and the prospects for the future. To understand the full context of SETI searching, the course will also cover the allied subjects of: the nature of scientific investigations; the evolution of intelligence; the nature and lifetimes of civilizations; the advantages and disadvantages of contact between civilizations and the sociological implications; the linguistic problems involved in understanding any message received and framing any outgoing message; the possibilities of interstellar travel; and what, if anything, the ‘sightings’ of UFOs can tell us. 10
Page 2 and 3: Introduction to the Scottish Univer
Page 4 and 5: Table of Contents SUPA Contacts Pag
Page 6 and 7: SUPA Graduate School Basics Course
Page 8 and 9: Frequently Asked Questions What is
Page 12 and 13: Astronomy and Space Physics Semeste
Page 14 and 15: Condensed Matter and Material Physi
Page 16 and 17: Condensed Matter and Material Physi
Page 18 and 19: Energy Semester 2 Energy is a new t
Page 20 and 21: Nuclear and Plasma Physics Nuclear
Page 22 and 23: Particle Physics Group Theory (SUPA
Page 24 and 25: Particle Physics Lattice QCD (SUPAL
Page 26 and 27: Photonics Semiclassical Theory of A
Page 28 and 29: Physics and Life Sciences Semester
Page 30 and 31: Core Skills Courses Semester 1 C++/
Page 32 and 33: Core Skills Courses Semester 2 Adva
Page 34 and 35: Student Funding This page details t
Page 36 and 37: Getting Started with Videoconferenc
Page 38: Notes

Catalogue of Courses & Student Handbook - SUPA

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